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Public Events
There are many more complete wine and food calendars on the web but our goal is to post those events that appear to over-deliver for the ticket price. The key factors that affect our decisions (having spent over 20 years attending such events) include attending principals, the quality of the food and wine, the location and the chance to learn something new.
June 30, 2009. The Wine Access 2009 International Value Wine Awards were completed last weekend and there are some amazing results. Prices and scores are being checked as we prepare to rollout the results in small bits before the magazine hits the newsstands in late September. Closer to home Stuart and I will begin to crank out reviews and clear the current backlog of wines through June. Look for many notes including several new rosé and riesling reviews with many more summer sippers to come. Still to come are some highlights from the Wine Summit at Lake Louise. ag
CedarCreek has been busy reorganizing its portfolio to reflect a new, slimmed-down philosophy and those changes will assure a year round presence of CedarCreek's key labels in government stores that should keep the public and restaurants happy.
Nothing pairs better with summer and West Coast cuisine than riesling. Its fresh, floral, crunchy fruit and juicy citrus flavours can brighten any picnic, lunch, patio or dinner party, and many of the world's best examples can be had for a song. full article...
Value has become so chic in the States, some retailers are using less expensive products like beer and energy drinks as loss leaders because wine is thought to be too expensive in these troubled times. It is a shocking reminder how quickly the pendulum can swing. full article...
With wines selling for $5 and $10 less per bottle in Ontario and Alberta, you can see why some provinces (such as B.C.) are happy with the laws just the way they are. B.C. wineries have had their online operations challenged by liquor boards in Manitoba and Ontario and have complained but to no avail. full article...
As has been its wont in recent years, the commission has become increasingly protective of its wine markets and many of its substandard producers; in my opinion, this is just another example of legislated protectionism. full article...
Unpasteurized cow's milk cheese from the Savoie that has been soaked in Marc for one month in an airtight container, and then aged under a thick blanket of grape must. full article...
Bouq’ Émisairre is a raw milk, ash covered ripened goats milk cheese from the famous Montreal cheese maker Pierre-Yves Chaput. The flavour has a refined minerally tang to it. full article...
History tells us that syrah is one of the oldest established grapes in France, but its origins are less apparent and there is plenty of speculation as to its source. Some claim it came to Marseilles, France around 600 BC via the Phocaeans of Asia Minor, who in turn are said to have imported the grape from Shiraz, Persia. full article...
Despite the advent of "two-buck Chuck" and its many imitators in the U.S., quality wine that sells for less than $10 Canadian dollars is pretty much extinct. In fact, in the case of authentic grown in Canada wine it is nearly impossible to find anything under $10 that is worth drinking. Taxes are the number one culprit along with some less than shrewd purchasing by the monopolies. That said here are ten wines with taste that will save you some money and satisfy large crowds. full article...
Just about the time the world is supposed to be tired of drinking chardonnay, the globe's best producers are refining their style. Drier more complex cool, even fruity with much less obvious oak. It's the future and it's coming fast. full article...
So many choices so little time so I will give you my favourite good values in more or less descending order from best to worth a shot. I have left many expensive ones that are truly outstanding off my list because of the higher prices. Remember you can’t really go wrong with any of them as this definitely is a vintage of the century. Decide what communes you prefer or just experiment. Good luck. full article...
Global TV Picks
As seen on Global Saturday Mornings with Sophie Lui and Vancouver Sun wine critic Anthony Gismondi.
Tasting wine takes you to many places, both hotels and restaurants - some good, some great and some bad. In response to many requests I will begin posting some basic details on where to stay and eat in wine country or wine friendly cities but only if I have first hand experience. Take it for what it is: a personal opinion but one that is based on many years of travel.
A 16 at 2355 Chestnut in the Marina area is named after a road in Italy. Expect delicious Naples-style thin crust pizza and light ricotta gnocchi as well as wonderful wood-fired cooking of Italy’s south. full article...
Four Seasons Resort Whistler's 273 guest rooms, suites and townhouses are generously sized and capture the spirit of a luxurious mountain residence. full article...
The Ritz-Carlton Santiago opened in June 2003 debut and immediately raised the standard of Chilean hotels. The hotel is set in Las Condes in the heart of the central business district. full article...
Cold, harsh winter weather has always benefited wine growers in this country if only because it acts as the perfect, natural pesticide but today freezing temperatures that blanket our vineyards each winter yield a much richer reward - icewine. full article...
June 30, 2009. The Wine Access 2009 International Value Wine Awards were completed last weekend and there are some amazing results. Prices and scores are being checked as we prepare to rollout the results in small bits before the magazine hits the newsstands in late September. Closer to home Stuart and I will begin to crank out reviews and clear the current backlog of wines through June. Look for many notes including several new rosé and riesling reviews with many more summer sippers to come. Still to come are some highlights from the Wine Summit at Lake Louise. ag
After a year of tasting and travel we are proud to release our “Top 100” list of favourite wines for 2008.
